Homer Police Investigate Assault Of 6-Year-Old Girl  

BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal

Homer Police officers were called to Homer Memorial Hospital around 8 PM on Thursday, May 10 in reference to the alleged rape of a 6-year-old girl. The girl was transported to LSU Medical Center in Shreveport due to internal injuries.

Homer Police Chief Russell Mills said they were waiting for further information to determine whether the child had been raped or sexually assaulted. Due to the trauma, they had been unable to question the young girl as to what actually happened, but it appears injuries  may have been inflicted by a member of the family.

Social services was contacted. They have removed the child from the residence and have placed her in foster care. All names are being withheld until the investigation is complete.

Monroe Man Arrested By CPSO For Meth

Claiborne Sheriff Ken Bailey announced Tuesday, through a cooperative effort with Police Chief Anthony Smith and the Haynesville Police Department, Jimmy L. Tate, 37, of Monroe was arrested on Friday, May 11 for three counts of distribution of Schedule II CDS (controlled dangerous substance) methamphetamine. This arrest was the result of a six month undercover operation involving the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office, and Haynesville and Minden Police Departments.

Claiborne Narcotic Enforcement Team (CNET) Agent James Spillers stated Haynesville Patrol Officer Adrian Malone was able to develop a source of information relative to Tate’s activities. Malone then contacted Agent Spillers. Through combined efforts, they were able to make undercover purchases from Tate.

Spillers further stated that on the morning of Tate’s arrest, agents conducted surveillance on Tate to monitor his location. After arrest warrants were signed by Second Judicial District Court Judge Jenifer Clason, agents were able to arrest Tate in the area of 1940 Cadenhead Place in Haynesville. Tate was driving a 1994 Chevy truck at the time, and carrying $3,870 in his pocket. Tate was transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center on 3 counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and 1 count failure to appear. Bond was set at $91,800.

Sheriff Bailey urges anyone with information relative to drug activity or any other crime to call the CPSO Criminal Investigative Division (CID) at 927-9800, the Sheriff’s Office at 927-2011, Chief Anthony Smith at Haynesville Police Dept. at 624-1311, or Chief Russell Mills at Homer Police Dept. at 927-4000.

The Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Louisiana State Police participated in a DWI Check Point last Friday, May 11 from 11 PM to 2:30 AM on Saturday, May 12 next to Harmon Wood Company on La. 79 south. Lt. Randy Pugh checked a vehicle bearing LA License Plate #BB05011, when he observed what appeared to be marijuana in the lap of a passenger in the vehicle.

Further search revealed the passenger, David R. Coleman, 27, of Minden had a clear plastic bag containing a green vegetable substance and a cigar loaded with marijuana in his left shoe. Lt. Pugh arrested Coleman for possession of marijuana and advised him of his Miranda rights. He was transported to the Claiborne Detention Center for booking. His bond was set at $500.

While on routine traffic patrol on Wednesday, May 9, Deputy Matt Harris stopped a white 18-wheeler for speeding 68/55. Harris detected a strong odor associated with marijuana on the driver when requesting his driver’s license, registration, and insurance. Harris asked if there were any illegal weapons or substances in the vehicle. Driver Bobby Nance answered no. A search of Nance revealed a glass tube commonly used to smoke crack cocaine in his left front pocket. Nance, 51, of Racine, Wisconsin was arrested and charged with speeding and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was transported to the CDC. Bond was set at $1,000.

Lisa A. Marts, 39, of Shreveport was arrested on Sunday, May 13 following a routine traffic stop by Patrol Deputy Jeff Pugh and Lt. Randy Pugh on La. 9 north of Summerfield. Marts was driving left of center. Deputies smelled what appeared to be marijuana in the truck. After being given permission to search the vehicle, Deputy Jeff Pugh found what appeared to be marijuana. Marts was booked in the women’s jail and charged with possession of marijuana, driving left of center, and no driver’s license in immediate possession. Her bond was set at $1,500.

CPSO Checkpoint Nets DWI

Claiborne Parish Sheriff Ken Bailey announced results of last week’s DWI Checkpoint held Friday night. The Louisiana State Police joined forces with the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office to stop 368 vehicles on Hwy. 79 south in Homer between 11 PM, Friday night, May 11, and 2:30 AM, Saturday, May 12.

Deputies conducted field sobriety tests on nine individuals. One person was charged with DWI. The other eight were transported home and not allowed to continue to drive.

Six were charged with child restraint violations, 3 for no driver’s license, 1 for defective equipment, 1 for motor vehicle inspection sticker violation, 1 vehicle license, 1 for possession of marijuana, 1 for open container, and 1 for window tint violation..

Homer Police Make Arrests Over Mother’s Day Weekend  

All Homer Police officers were on duty and out in force this past Mother’s Day weekend. For the most part, Police Chief Russell Mills said they had very few problems but did make several arrests, some for drugs, speeding, loud music, and several for curfew violations.

On Friday, May 11 about 5:45 PM, Officer Mike Rayburn arrested  Antonio Cortez Reed, 33, of Houston, Texas, following a traffic stop. Rayburn noticed a blunt with marijuana on the floor of the vehicle. Reed admitted to having more marijuana in both shoes. In his right show was a package containing a green leafy substance. In his left shoe, Rayburn found a blunt and marijuana residue. Reed was charged with simple possession of marijuana. His bond was set at $1,000.

Maurice R. Ferguson, 22, of Homer was arrested May 10 about 6:42 PM at Adams and Lewis Street by Officer Roger Smith. He was charged with resisting an officer,  distribution of Schedule I CDS marijuana, possession w/intent to distribute Schedule II CDS crack cocaine, and simple escape, with bond set at $32,500. He is also being held on a probation/parole violation with no bond.

On May 12 about 8:30 PM, Omar S. Drew was pulled over on Hwy. 79 by Spiller’s Appliance and ticketed for lou music. Timothy Rials, 22, of Arcadia was also also pulled over about 7 PM on West Main and charged with loud music violation.

Michael Wilkins, 42, of Camden, Arkansas, was stopped on North Main near Keith’s Food Mart on Saturday, May 12. He was charged with speeding and driving under suspension.

Three parents cited for curfew violations and improper supervision of juveniles shortly after midnight on Sunday, May 13 were Sandra Willis, Felicia, Willis, and Tawain Webb.

Town of Homer employee Loyd T. Henderson, 51, was arrested for simple battery (domestic violence) on Saturday, May 12. He was being held at the Claiborne Detention Center on $5,000 bond, until he was released Tuesday by Homer Mayor David Newell during the magistrate court hearing. His case is being sent to district court.

Local Physicians, Hospital Board members, Administrator Doug Efferson, and others gather around Dr. D. K. Haynes, Chamber President J. T. Taylor, Homer Memorial Hospital Board President Buddy Pixley, and Dr. Mark Haynes as they break ground on the new Emergency Room addition. Don Leach Construction was awarded the low bid of $1,935,000 on the project.

Several hundred residents toured newly renovated hospital rooms at Homer Memorial Hospital and enjoyed the delicious food prepared by Judy Davis of Tall Timbers at a reception in held last Thursday in the Homer Memorial Hospital cafeteria.

Jury Denies Liquor License To Prime Time Lounge

BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal

Jurors failed to approve the application for a high content liquor license and permit by Dorothy Prime for Prime Time Lounge located at 3801 Hwy. 79 south of Homer across from the Claiborne Senior Apartments, by a vote of 4-5. Voting to approve the application were Scott Davidson, Butch Bays, Jerry Adkins and Joe Sturges. Voting against were Lavelle Penix, Roy Lewis, Willie Young, Bob McDaniel, and Mark Furlow. President Roy Mardis voted to go on record to approve the permit, which evened the vote 5-5, but still failed to approve the license. Attorney Danny Newell said this decision will not stop the lounge from selling liquor since they already have a state permit. It will only deny the Jury the $500 permit fee.

Bays asked, “What grounds are we not approving? How do you explain singling this one out?”

Penix said the Jury turned one down two months ago. Mardis said that one did not have a state permit and residents asked the Jury not to approve it.  He said it would be different if certain districts were already set up in the parish.

McDaniel said, “The loss of one individual on a highway in Claiborne Parish or any other parish is not worth selling liquor in this parish.”

Joe Sturges said when the parish was dry, there were more DWIs than there are now. He said, “They are going to get it, and drive our highways to get it.”

Attorney Newell explained the property adjudicated to the Jury on Betters Street in Haynesville was only for the house, not the property. He did not think the Jury could own the house and not the property. At his recommendation to clear up the title, the Jury approved a resolution authorizing the president to sign a quick claim deed to give whatever interest the Jury may have with the house back to the property owner.

Secretary-Treasurer. Dwayne Woodard told jurors First Guaranty Bank had changed their policy and would no longer match the interest rate offered by LAMP. Woodard figured the savings on interest on the $1.2 million in excess funds was $31.23 per day, $936.99 per month, and $11,243.84 per year.  After changing rates to 5.11, still under the 5.39 LAMP rate, the Jury was still losing $9.21 day, $276 month, and $3,313 per year. The Jury voted to allow Woodard to move excess funds to LAMP to get the best interest and to give Woodard the discretion to continue to shop for the best interest rates. Voting against were Willie Young and Mark Furlow.

Robin Bridges introduced Johnnie Whitmire, the new Assistant Extension Agent at the Hill Farm Research Station for the North Central Region working in poultry research. “Poultry production is the number one agriculture enterprise in the State of Louisiana,” Bridges said. “The majority of that production is in the north end of the State.”

The Hill Farm recently constructed two new demonstration broiler houses. Whitmire will manage those houses for educational purposes and future research. She will also help area poultry producers with management concerns.

Bridges said, “Poultry production, both broilers and eggs to produce those broilers, amounts to $9 million in revenue in 2006 for Claiborne Parish,” Poultry production is a $1.5 billion industry in the State.     .                         ….more

The Claiborne Education Endowment Foundation awarded their first grants to school teachers in Claiborne Parish at last week’s School Board meeting. CEEF Board Members Dr. Phillip “Butch” Fincher and Dr. Pat Bates presented $1,500 checks to the following teachers and principals for their winning grant applications: Bobbie Smith and Principal Craig Roberson (top) at Athens High  for “Reading For Achievement”; Maggie Harris and Principal Pat Lee at Homer Elementary (top right) for “Growing Louisiana Readers”; and Denise Baugh (left) and Principal D’Arcy Stevens (not present) at Summerfield for “Digital eMaps”. CEEF is a non-profit organization formed in 2004 to promote and support excellence in education by awarding grants to schools and classroom teachers for worthy and innovative projects to assist children in achieving their full potential. Annual tax-deductible family membership are a minimum $10,  due each September. Anyone interested can mail their check payable to the Claiborne Education Endowment Fund, Inc. to the Claiborne Parish School Board, 415 East Main Street,  Homer, LA 71040.

School Board Approves Low Bid For Homer High Renovations

BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal

Renovations at Homer High School should begin soon. The Claiborne Parish School Board voted to accept the low bid of $1,670,668 from Mann Construction in Columbia, Louisiana at their regular meeting on Thursday, May 10. District 13 only has about $1,595,000 available to repay QZAB funds. The Board decided to meet with the contractor and look for ways to cut costs. The Board chose not to go with  the alternate bid to replace all windows for an additional cost of $268,000.

After some discussion on possible locations for the Alternative School and Option III program, the Board decided they needed more space for Alternative School and voted to declare an emergency to make repairs estimated up to $100,000 on the sixth grade building on Pearl Street for use for Alternative School and Option III.

Blake Hemphill said they did not need to keep the liability of the 7th-8th grade building and suggested they give all the buildings on the south side of Pearl Street either to the Town of Homer or the Recreation District, and let them enter into an agreement with the Boys & Girls Club. They cannot give it to the Club because it is not a political subdivision.

Bids on security cameras for Homer High, Homer Elementary, and Summerfield were taken under advisement to determine if the low bidder met all specifications. Three bids were received.

The Board approved a resolution to request an opinion for the Attorney General on whether the decision to lower the Board’s salary in April 2006 was legal. If the Board did not comply with laws regarding advertisement, would they pay the board retroactively from January to present. If not, what steps should they take to resolve the issue.

Superintendent James Scriber presented a Certificate of Appreciation to retiring bus driver Bobbie Coleman who retired after 16 years as bus driver in Homer. Other retiring employees not present to receive their Certificates were Sue Frye in Adult Education with 36 years; Martha Harson at Haynesville Jr/Sr. with 28 years; Cynthia Haynes at Homer Option III with 15 years; Virginia Hicks at Homer Elementary with 11 years, 10 in Claiborne; Linda McKenzie at Homer High with 33 years; Tommy Reeder at Haynesville Jr/Sr with 30 years, 24 in Claiborne; Geneva Brown at Pineview with 33 years; and  Dorsie Johnson, bus driver at Homer Elementary with 14 years.

Homer Junior High 8th grade student Elmer T. Jones Jr. was recognized for his First Place award in State Art Contest. His art teacher is Rhonda Porter.

On behalf of the Claiborne Education Endowment Foundation, Dr. Phillip Fincher and Dr. Pat Bates presented the first $1,500 grants to three Claiborne Parish teachers: Bobbie A. Smith and Principal Craig Roberson at Athens High School for her grant application “Reading for Achievement”, Maggie Harris and Principal Pat Lee at Homer Elementary for “Growing Louisiana Readers”, and Denise Baugh and Principal D’Arcy Stevens at Summerfield for “Digital eMaps”.

The Board approved advertising for bids for 3 buses using the St. Landry Parish bid of $69,592 each.

The Board also approved advertising for bus fuel, milk, bread, food items, and paper supplies for the 2007-2008 school year.

Following executive session, the Board voted to reassign Homer Jr. High Principal Keith Beard to teaching duties as part-time librarian at Homer Jr. High and part-time counselor at Pineview, the Alternative School and Option III effective July 15, 2007. “I would like to express my appreciation to Mr. Beard for the past two years of service at Homer Jr. High,” said Scriber. “No one who works for the Claiborne Parish School Board has a better heart for children than Keith Beard..” The Board then voted to advertise for the Homer Jr. High principal position.   .                         ….more

Elmer T. Jones, eighth grade art student at Homer Jr. High, was recognized by the Claiborne Parish School Board for his poster that won First Place in State Attorney General Charles Foti’s American Spirit Poster Contest, “Celebrating Louisiana: Home Sweet Home”. Jones’ poster was displayed at the State Capitol along with other winners. Displayed beneath Jones’ poster was his statement on what the American Spirit means to him, “It means honesty and teamwork. It shows how courteous the people of Louisiana are. It also shows how Louisiana is a mixture of all kinds of customs, people and styles. These are all mixed up together (like gumbo in a pot), and we all pitch in to help each other. That’s the American (or Louisianian) Spirit to me.”  Rhonda Porter (right) is the art teacher at Homer Junior High.  

LEAP, GEE Test Results Show Improvement

Louisiana’s public school students continued to show improvement on the state’s LEAP Exams but had disappointing results in English and math on the Graduation Exit Exams (GEE), according to results released Thursday. Education officials are particularly pleased with the scores of 4th and 8th graders, who showed noteworthy gains in English, improved in both science and social studies and remained stable in math. However, high school scores dropped significantly in English.

In Claiborne Parish, all but two schools showed an improvement this year in the percentage of students passing the LEAP tests in 4th and 8th grade compared to the results in 2005-2006.

In the 4th grade, 100% of Athens students passed compared to 80% last year; 76%  of Haynesville Elementary students passed compared to 64%; 56% of Homer Elementary students passed compared to 51%; 50% of Pineview students passed compared to 69%; and 92% of Summerfield students passed compared to 83% last year.

In 8th grade, 65% of students at Athens passed this year compared to 5% in 2005-06; 45% of Haynesville Jr. High students passed compared to 46% last year; 45% of Homer Jr. High students passed compared to 33% last year; 46% of Pineview students passed compared to 33% last year, and 83% of students at Summerfield passed compared to 64% last year.

In 2005-2006, 76 fourth grade students and 143 eighth grade students did not pass. In 2006-07, that number dropped to 54 fourth grade and 99 eighth grade students who did not pass the LEAP test.

In grades 10, Athens had 11 regular education students pass the English portion of the Graduate Exit Exam (GEE) and 3 failed. Haynesville High had 40 students pass and 12 fail; Homer High had 61 pass and 15 fail; Pineview had 7 pass and 3 fail; and Summerfield had 22 pass and no failures.

In 10th grade at Athens, 9 regular education students passed the math portion of the GEE and 5 failed; Haynesville High had 44 students pass and 8 fail; Homer High had 67 pass and 11 fail; Pineview had 9 pass and 1 fail; and Summerfield had 20 pass and 1 fail.

In fourth grade, Athens had 8 regular ed students pass English and none fail; Haynesville 32 pass and 5 fail; Homer - 44 pass and 14 fail; Pineview 8 pass and 5 fail; and Summerfield 20 pass and 1 fail. In Math, Athens had 8 pass and none fail; Haynesville 29 pass and 8 fail; Homer 46 pass and 12 fail; Pineview 8 pass and 5 fail; and Summerfield 20 pass and 1 fail.

In the 8th grade, Athens had 13 pass English and 5 fail; Haynesville 24 pass and 22 fail, Homer 46 pass and 42 fail, Pineview 6 pass and 5 fail; and Summerfield 17 pass and 4 fail. In the Math portion, Athens had 13 pass and 5 fail, Haynesville 23 pass and 23 fail; Homer 45 pass and 43 fail; Pineview 5 pass and 6 fail; and Summerfield 17 pass and 4 fail.

The number of students scoring mastery in English in grade 4 are as follows: Haynesville - 7, Homer - 6, Pineview - 3, Summerfield - 5. In grades 8, Athens - 2, Haynesville - 2, Homer - 1, Pineview - 1, and Summerfield - 2. In grades 10, students who scored mastery in English were Haynesville High - 1, Homer High - 6, and Pineview - 1.

The number of students who scored mastery in Math in grade 4 are as follows: Haynesville - 1, Homer - 8, Pineview - 2, and Summerfield - 6. In 8th grade, the number of students scoring mastery in Math were Pineview -1 and Summerfield - 4. In grades 10, students who scored mastery in Math were Haynesville - 4, Homer - 14, Pineview - 1, and Summerfield - 2.

Homer Elementary had 2 and Summerfield had 1 fourth grade student to score advanced in English. Athens had 1 student score advanced in Math.

Haynesville Jr. High had 1 eighth grade student score advanced in Math; Homer High had 3 and Summerfield had 4 tenth grade students to score advanced in Math.

“Last year became a new baseline year for our schools. This year’s test scores show that our 4th and 8th graders are continuing to improve against the new baseline, and I am very pleased with these results,” said State Superintendent of Education Paul G. Pastorek. “However, they also show that we must focus on improving academic achievement in our high schools, and where students fall short, we must look for alternative paths for these children to become successful in life.”

Students take the LEAP in the 4th and 8th grades and the GEE in the 10th and 11th grades. The GEE determines whether students are eligible to graduate from high school. The LEAP is used to determine whether students advance to the 5th and 9th grades.

There are five achievement levels students can attain: Unsatisfactory, Approaching Basic, Basic, Mastery or Advanced. The state’s goal is for all students to achieve at the Basic level or above by 2014. Students who score Basic and above are on track to be career-ready or college-ready.

In previous years, 4th and 8th grade students had to score Approaching Basic in English and math. Beginning in 2004 for 4th graders and in 2007 for 8th graders, students must score at least Basic in one of two tests – English or math – and at least Approaching Basic on the other test. To be eligible for graduation from high school, students taking the GEE must score at the Approaching Basic level or above in English and math, and either science or social studies.  

The Minden Community Chorus, directed by Dr. Dan Gibbs, dressed in costumes of the late 1900s sing for the crowd at Homer City Hall during the 2007 Claiborne Jubilee last Saturday.

Claiborne Jubilee Is A Success

BY JIMMY DEAN, Feature Writer,  The Guardian-Journal

It’s Saturday, May 12, the second day of the Claiborne Jubilee. Businesses with sidewalk sales in downtown Homer on the Square are already benefiting from the hundreds who will enjoy the day’s activities. The weather is cooperating with a light breeze contributing to everyone’s comfort.

My wife Kaye and I begin at the Police Jury building where colorful quilts stretch toward the ceiling. They remind you that art takes many forms. I grew up before central heat. My grandparents who lived off the White Lightning heated just one room in the house. We appreciated quilts back then. But I couldn’t sleep under one of these because they’re just too pretty.

Leaving the quilt exhibit, we cut over to the Courthouse lawn and note some kids at the hands-on art table. Children’s drawings and adult artwork draw equal attention. As for the children’s creations, there’s untarnished innocence along with some whimsy and fantasy.

We move on to T.J. Ponder’s Spray Paint Art, an unusual approach I’ve never seen before: Spray some paint from an aerosol can, then kinda-sorta blot with a small sponge. Pick up a different can, different color, and spray, then blot that. Spray-blot, spray-blot. The result? Appealing landscapes. Majestic mountains. Soaring eagles. Intriguing technique, beautiful results.

We cross over to Delta Interiors’ sidewalk sale table where we’re joined by our daughter Alyson. Kaye and Alyson  come away with scented candles,  stylized refrigerator magnets, a magnolia-themed wall decoration, and other bargains—three bags, I think.

Alyson has never been to the Ford Museum, so that’s our next stop. I show her oil rigs and explain that my daddy used to work on those. I show her the pictures of cotton fields like those he sweated in. We come away with a renewed appreciation for the Ford Museum and sacrifices of our forbears.

Here’s KRMD-101.1 outta Shreveport broadcasting country music this morning. There’s the First United Pentecostal Church tent with hot dogs, frito pies, and more. Bobby Jindal’s table. LaChip’s table.

I wander over to see what self-taught African-American artist Alma Lennear is all about. It turns out that her personality is as spirited as her art. Creating a likeness of Ray Charles and Willie Nelson, Ms. Lennear chatters away as she paints. She has exhibited works at the Red River Revel in Shreveport and other venues. Ms. Lennear’s subjects range from the contemporary to Bible-based scenes.

I rejoin Kaye and Alyson, and we drift over to Girlfriends where they buy sequin belts and earrings and a “personalized ceiling tile bulletin board” for our granddaughter Mackenzie. We leave Girlfriends with more bags.

Continuing their bargain trek, Kaye and Alyson see the sign “All Baskets—$10 each” at the Homer Hayride. “Baskets by Edna” are gift baskets for hospital patients, weddings, baby showers, and other special occasions. Edna Wyant says she’s having a basket clearance, so Kaye and Alyson adopt several.

Our morning began at 10:30. It’s almost 1:00, and the reading of MaDear’s Aprons is starting over at City Hall. I head there. Kaye says she’ll join me after taking tuckered-out Alyson to the house.

I get there for Suzanne Ford’s reading as the book’s illustrations are projected on the wall.

Judges for the various competitions include Scotland Stout, Marlen May Waters, Julie Moore, and Carlos Colon. At City Hall Marlen Waters and Cynthia Steele announce winners in the various competitions. 

Among the winners are Alma Lennear and Bonnie O’Leary. Linnear wins “Best of Show” in the art competition for her painting “A Portrait of Clementine Hunter.” And viewers choose O’Leary’s “Iris” quilt as “Best of Show” in the quilting competition.

The Jubilee concludes at City Hall with what is billed as “Gospel on the Grounds” by the Minden Community Chorus, directed by Dr. Dan Grubbs with Claudia Goodwin as the accompanist. Entering the auditorium singing as they distribute musical programs, individual members of the chorus wear attire reminiscent of the late 1800s and early 1900s—some bib overalls, long skirts, many hats, and some lacy blouses.

As the day concludes, it’s clear that a good time was had by all..  

The 5th Annual Water Fest sponsored by the Claiborne Parish Watershed District, the LSU AgCenter, and Claiborne 4-H was held May 3-4 at Lake Claiborne State Park. Almost 200 sixth graders from all over Claiborne Parish attended the event, learning about the importance of water conservation through hands-on learning activities.

Fifth Annual Waterfest Held At State Park

BY JIMMY DEAN, Feature Writer,  The Guardian-Journal

Despite occasional light “water out of the sky,” as Robin Bridges put it, Lake Claiborne State Park was the site of the Fifth Claiborne Parish Water Fest on May 3-4, 2007.

Almost 200 sixth-graders and teachers participated in this year’s hands-on learnings experiences. Six activities focused the students’ attention on where our water comes from and what we can do to use our water resources responsibly.

Dr. Bill Owens presented “It’s Alive,” described as “a microscopic look at water quality.” Dr. Owens showed the students how even a drop of water is teeming with minute life.

Robin Bridges, Claiborne Parish 4-H Agent, and Ashley Roach, Americorps Volunteer, presented “Pass the Jug,” a hands-on experience helping students to reason on the issue of water rights, i.e., “Who gets the water?” They were helped to appreciate that water needs differ from area to area and from citizen to citizen.

Joey Breaux of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry presented “Amazing Water.” Students took part in simulating the passing of water through storm drains where it may pick up pollutants. The demonstration also showed the limited capacity of treatment plants to remove contaminants.

Dr. Bill Branch presented “How Much Do We Use?” which focused on how water conservation can make a difference.

Ben McGee with the U.S. Geological Survey presented “Ground Water Model,” which helped students understand groundwater and its importance. The activity also highlighted the finiteness of groundwater and emphasized how to conserve such a precious asset as the Sparta Aquifer.

Todd Sewell with the D’Arbonne District of the Natural Resources Conservation Service and Melissa Hylan, Americorps Volunteer, presented “The Long Hall.” This is a physically challenging taste of what it would be like to haul 230 gallons of water, each person’s average daily water use. The ease of turning on a faucet for instant water blinds us to what hard work it would be to haul one’s own water.

Everyone enjoyed lunch outdoors in the shaded picnic area, then students returned to their open air classrooms for a final activity. The day closed with post-project questionnaires before boarding the buses to return to school.

“Our annual Water Fest could not have been the yearly success it is without the dedication of our student leaders, other volunteers, and our many supporters,” commented Teresa Price. Some of those handling the various workshops included Dr. Bill Owens, LSU AgCenter Researcher; Joey Breaux of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry; Ben McGee of U.S. Geological Survey;   Dr. Bill Branch, LSU AgCenter Water Resources Specialist; Robin Bridges, LSU County Agent; Gary Stockton, LSU County Agent; and  Perry Anderson, Volunteer Leader.

Price added, “We want to thank the Claiborne Parish School Board Superintendent James Scriber, his staff, Principal Linda Gantt of Mt. Olive Christian School, and Charlie McKenzie and the staff at Lake Claiborne State Park for supporting this annual event.” She went on, “The T-shirts were provided by the Claiborne Parish Watershed District. Meals for presenters and Junior Leaders were funded by Hibernia Bank, First Guaranty Bank, and Citizens Bank. Other sponsors for this event include LSU AgCenter, Claiborne Parish Watershed District, Claiborne 4-H Foundation, and CoCa-Cola Bottling Company.”

Price concluded, “This was another wonderful learning program for Claiborne Parish sixth graders.”

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“You may be a redneck if your idea of water conservation is moving your Saturday night bath to every other Saturday night.”—Jeff Foxworthy, comedian

Sheriff Says: “Buckle Up In Your Truck”

The Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office has united with traffic safety advocates across a five state region in a concerted drive to convince pickup truck drivers and passengers in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and the Indian Nations to “Buckle Up In Your Truck” (BUIYT).

State observation surveys show that well over a million pickup drivers and passengers in the five state region are still not buckling up, resulting in more than 1,000 pickup occupants dying in the five states every year in traffic crashes. Safety belt use in pickup trucks is 5 to 10 percentage points lower compared to all other passenger vehicles in the five states.

“Pickups are twice as likely to roll over as passenger cars in fatal crashes. Nearly half of the deaths in pickup crashes in the region involve a rollover. Wearing your safety belt reduces the risk of dying in a rollover crash by up to 80 percent,” according to Sheriff Bailey.

“And buckling up is your only defense against being ejected from your vehicle, one of the most deadly things that can happen to you in a crash,” he said. National research showed that of the partially or completely ejected occupants in the rollover crashes studied that 81 percent were not using safety belts compared to only 18 percent who were.

Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies will be out in force from May 21 – June 3, 2007, including the Memorial day weekend when increased traffic deaths and injuries historically occur, participating in the “Buckle Up In Your Truck” campaign and safety belt enforcement mobilization.

“There are still far too many people, regardless of the vehicle they drive, in this jurisdiction who don’t think they need to buckle up. We want these drivers and passengers to know that far too many of our community’s caring families are risking losing a husband or wife, a father or mother, a son or daughter, simply for lack of wearing a safety belt. That’s why we’d rather write them a ticket than see someone injured or dead in a crash down the road,” he said.

Since America’s Seat Belt Campaign “Click It or Ticket” (CIOT) began in 2002 and BUIYT was initiated in 2004 in the region, the five state region overall safety belt use rate has risen 12.8 percentage points and the belt use rate in pickup trucks has climbed 14.4 percentage points. That translates to more than 3 million drivers and passengers in the region buckling up today than just a few short  years ago. Officials hope to add to these increases in 2007.

The Buckle Up In Your Truck campaign is funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the highway safety offices in the five states and the Indian Nations.

Senior Expo Set For Saturday, May 19  

The S.A.L.T. Council of the Claiborne Parish TRIAD invites all senior citizens to the annual Senior Expo to be held Saturday, May 19 at Homer City Hall. Registration begins at 8 AM and the Expo ends at noon with a free lunch. Local health and government agencies will provide booths for helpful information and health checks. Interesting speakers will also be on the program. Lots of door prizes will be donated by persons and businesses in Claiborne Parish. Entertainment will be provided by the First Praise Singers. All seniors are encouraged to come and enjoy the fellowship as well as receive helpful information. For information, call TRIAD of Claiborne at the Sheriff’s Office at 927-2011.

LifeShare Blood Center To Host Blood Drive Today At HMH

LifeShare Blood Centers will host its quarterly Community Blood Drive at Homer Memorial Hospital on Thursday, May 17, 2007 from 11AM-4 PM in the Hospital Conference Room. LifeShare Blood Centers is proud to be associated with Homer Memorial Hospital. The Homer community is encouraged to come out and donate to help replenish the blood supply. To donate blood, you should be feeling well, weigh at least 110 lbs. and be a minimum of 17 years of age. You will receive your choice of a tee-shirt, baseball hat or cholesterol test. Drinks and snacks will be provided. Photo ID will be required at registration.

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